Key goals: !  To connect Corridor residents and employers to existing workforce resources !  To better align workforce and economic development in Corridor

!  Residents ◦  Low-income, long-term unemployed, not in training

programs ◦  High %: unemployment, ELL, HHds of color, low-income, no HS Diploma/GED ◦  5 Corridor communities

!  Employers ◦  High starting wages, low skill entry, career-laddering,

corridor presence, current openings, future job projections ◦  Transportation/logistics, manufacturing, health services

!  Focus on disconnected residents !  Peer outreach: trusted community members !  Outreach to employers !  Services in neighborhoods !  Existing workforce resources / tools !  Empowering people: “teach to fish” !  Align Workforce/Economic Development

Project Team: •  Local cities (PED staff) •  Local counties (WF, CED, Policy staff) •  State government (WF/ED staff) •  Regional MPO (grant authority) •  Community advocate agencies •  Local Foundations

Community (60): •  community leaders •  nonprofit orgs •  faith-based orgs •  neighborhood associations •  Focus group Facilitator from community

!  Ramsey County, Minneapolis WSAs !  11 Corridor workforce providers – one staff !  Mn State DEED, Workforce Centers !  Job Connect electronic resource !  Reading Companion (ELL-focus) !  NCRC (National Career Readiness Certificate) !  Libraries !  Peers in “Community Learning Sessions” !  ABE (Adult Basic Ed/GED) and ELL resources

Low  employability                                                                                                                                                                                                                    High  employability  

 Stable:  Housing,  child  care,  transportation,    mental  health,  physical  health  

ELL,  ABE  classes  to  improve:  math,  reading,  language;  Use  KeyTrain  /    Reading  Companion  to  study  

HS  diploma  /  GED  completed;    knows  what  employers  expect  (“soft  skills”,  being  on  time,  teamwork,  etc.)  

Can  articulate  own  skills;  knows  what  jobs  are  good  Pit;    has  NCRC  certiPicate  

Resume  current;  email  access;    Computer  skills;  does  online  applications;    has  references;  uses  Job  Connect  

Knowledge  of  interviewing;  application  etiquette,  appropriate  business  attire  

Work  experience;  training  /  educ.  certiPicates;  recommendation  letters;    good  communication  skills;  has  and  uses  strong  network;    

 

!  1,400+ long-term unemployed, low-income residents !  83% communities of color !  87% unaware of workforce resources ◦  679 participated in 62 “Community Learning

Sessions” ◦  299 registered on Job Connect website ◦  128 referred to providers ◦  70 NCRC certificates ◦  65 employed ◦  47 attended training

!  56 Corridor employers (small to mid-size) ◦  Majority unaware of workforce resources ◦  7 ultimately used NCRC in hiring ◦  8 reported hiring Corridor residents

!  Residents !  Connectors !  Employers !  Community !  Project Team !  Workforce Providers

!  LRT under construction – not functioning !  Lack awareness of workforce resources !  Employers anticipated little benefit from LRT !  Residents wanted corridor jobs – LRT not

perceived to improve access to jobs !  Geography fostered relationship-building !  Workforce/employer connections disjointed

!  Funders expressed interest in findings/ learning; wants sustainability

!  Additional funding for two+ years !  Local workforce dedicated funding !  Local provider took lead role !  Greater focus on training, supports !  Greater outreach involvement of employers !  Greater focus on alignment of systems